Visual Basic.Net Windows Form Data Binding in ADO.NET

Visual Basic.Net has a capability to bind controls on the Windows Forms easily that almost any structure that contains data through both simple and complex data binding. Simple data binding allows you to bind a control to a single data element. The most common use of simple data binding involves binding a single data element, such as the value of a column in a table, to a control on a form. You use this type of data binding for controls that show only one value. Uses of simple data binding include binding data to text boxes and labels. Complex data binding allows you to bind more than one data element to a control. Using the column example, complex data binding involves binding more than one column or row from the underlying record source. Controls that support complex data binding include data grid controls, combo boxes, and list boxes.

In essence, data binding refers to the process of automatically setting properties of one or more form controls at run time from a structure that contains data. With data binding, you do not need to explicitly write the code that instantiates a connection and creates a dataset (as you would with an unbound approach), instead let the Wizards associated with Windows Forms write the necessary ADO.NET code for you.

Now, let’s work with Data Binding and ADO.NET that instantiates a connection, retrieve data, and stored data in Microsoft Access. To start with, you need to create database name and table name to integrate our program. Open your Microsoft Access, named it DbInfo and tblinfo for your table. Your field name and data type looks like the following.

 Note: I used Microsoft Access 2013 Preview Version, when you noticed the Data Type instead Text, I used Short Text. However, you may use Long Text, that’s new added features in Access 2013 Data Type. Don’t worry while saving your database because the file extension not vary in your data provider because you’re using data binding that automatically write the necessary code for your connection. Now, right click to view Datasheet View to put data in your columns at least 5 entries. Then closed Access Application, make sure your database name saves in your dedicated drive directory and folder so that to browse our database later it’s easy for them to locate where our database was already located.

Currently, open your Visual Basic.Net, named it Data Binding with Windows Forms and ADO.NET. To configure our connection to database. Locate Data in your menu that it looks like the following.

After you click Add New Data Source, new dialog box appear for configuration wizard. Let Database as default selected. Click Next, let Dataset as default selected type of database model, a Dataset file will added to your project. Next, noticed connection wizard appears to choose which data connection should use to connect to the database. Now, click New Connection… button to established new connection

Choose which Data sources needs to establish your connection. In this tutorial, we’re using Microsoft Access as Data Provider for OleDb. After you choos the Data source, Browse your database file name in your computer where it was already saved. To Test Connection, closed Microsoft Access Application first. Then Ok. 

When you expand Connection String it will displays Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\Users\Jocode\Documents\DbInfo.accdb.

Moreover, when you click Next, dialog box displays to tell whether your Database file remain saves on its local directory or copy the Database file to your project. 

Click Yes to create a copy of your Database to your project. Click Next to continue until it display.

Check all the textboxes and click Finish.

When you click finished nothing happen in your form. However, in your solution explorer when you noticed new object are added the Database name and DataSet. Now, click DbInfo.accdb in your Solution  Explorer and in Properties Window change Copy always to Copy if newer in Copy to Output Directory. 

The reason why to choice Copy if newer, if new data will added and save it in the database the data will not lost once the program run again. However, if you forgot to configure this option, every time you add new entry and save it then close the program and try to run again, the new added entry could not display.

To display the result in DataGridView from your database. Click Data and Show Data Sources.

There’s an option to displays result, either use DataGridView or a Field Name. Now, Drag tblinfo on your Windows Form1. The Form looks like the following.

Windows Forms write the necessary ADO.NET components code for you such as your DataSet, BindingSource, TableAdapter, Tablemanager, and BindingNavigator. The final output when you run the program displays like the following.

When you double click the form, the following code generates the connectivity from your database. This code was created when you drag tblinfo in your Form.

Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

        'TODO: This line of code loads data into the 'DbInfoDataSet.tblinfo' table. You can move, or remove it, as needed.

        Me.TblinfoTableAdapter.Fill(Me.DbInfoDataSet.tblinfo)

End Sub

The binding navigator above shows the number of rows, plus sign icon enables you to add new entry, x icon signifies if you want to delete entry, and save icon to save new entry. In addition, there’s a lot of configuration/modification to work with Data Binding in order your application more controls and manageable, secure, and it looks more professional.